The building was constructed in 1905 in a traditionally Bahraini manner using palm tree trunks, sea-stone, and gypsum. It was initially used as the permanent majlis of Salman Hussein Bin Matar, one of Bahrain’s prominent pearling merchants. Before restoration, the building was left empty and in disuse, ready to be demolished to make way for new construction.
However, it was rescued by the Sheikh Ebrahim Centre and GHE was entrusted with converting the building into a pearl museum, which forms nowadays an integral element of the proposed ‘pearl trail’ of Muharraq recognized as a world heritage site. The restoration allowed the visitors to appreciate the building’s traditional architectural quality whilst viewing numerous exhibitions held there dealing with the pearl history.
Bin Mattar house is a unique restoration that proudly highlights the history of pearling in the making of Bahrain and signifies the potential of tradition to respond to modern requirements and technologies.
Location: Muharraq, Bahrain
Client : Shk. Ebrahim Center for Culture & Research
Year: 2006 - 2009
Status: Completed
Service Provided: Architecture, Engineering, Construction Supervision
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